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An Enzymatic Basis for the Acceleration of Ciliary Activity by Negative Air Ions

Nature volume 183, pages 1332–1333 (1959)Cite this article

Abstract

IT has recently been shown that small negative air ions accelerate the tracheal ciliary activity of mammals both in vitro and in vivo1,2. The subsequent discovery that the actual mediator of these effects is negatively ionized oxygen3 suggested the possibility of a direct action by negative air ions on one or more of the respiratory enzymes. This seemed increasingly likely when it was found that : (a) dilute solutions of sodium azide (as low as 1 × 10−5 molar) inhibit ciliary activity; (b) the hæmoglobin of animals killed with carbon dioxide recovers its bright red colour more rapidly in a negatively ionized atmosphere than in ordinary air.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bacteriology and Naval Biological Laboratory, Naval Medical Research Unit No. 1 of the School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley

    A. P. KRUEGER & RICHARD F. SMITH

Authors
  1. A. P. KRUEGER
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  2. RICHARD F. SMITH
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KRUEGER, A., SMITH, R. An Enzymatic Basis for the Acceleration of Ciliary Activity by Negative Air Ions. Nature 183, 1332–1333 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1038/1831332a0

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